I used to live in Lincoln – a quiet, generally attractive English city mostly famous for an incredible cathedral, built at the top of a hill, which stares out across Lincolnshire and beyond.
I stared back at that cathedral every day – always meaning to go inside – but, inevitably, I only went in a few days before I was due to leave the city. I did the same two years later in Liverpool, cramming in a visit to the cathedral the very day I left.
Because, the fact is, tourists visit places. People who decide to live somewhere focus instead on homes, workplaces, supermarkets, hospitals. You always mean to visit the tourist places, experience the touristy stuff but, when you live somewhere, there’s always mañana. Except, sometimes, there isn’t.
I was pretty good in Bogotá – being a foreigner probably makes you more inclined to explore. But still, sitting in the airport waiting to fly away to Cartagena, I couldn’t help but scribble a list of all the things I wish I’d done:
1) I used to live in the Septima. In the Septima. Yet not once did I cycle the Ciclovia – not once did I take to a bike and take advantage of miles of liberated Bogotá roads. Shame on me. I never took a rowing boat out on the lake in Simon Bolivar park either. Fail.
2) I never danced through the sun rise at Piso 30 nightclub, nor did I party at El Coq or Teatron. Maybe I’m getting old. Scratch that, maybe I’m already old.
3) I must have eaten breakfast at every Park 93 breakfasterie except Ciboulette. I guess it’s on my list.
4) I wish I’d taken a break from the grey and the smog and walked out to Rio de la Vieja. It’s not exactly far.
5) I always looked at the aguardiente-laced coffee in Juan Valdez and chickened out. I’ve found two JVs in Cartagena, but somehow it’s not the same.
6) Once again you can walk to Monserratte. Do it for me.
7) There’s one of those fancy chemical restaurants in the Zona G. I think it’s called El Cielo. I should have gone, I’m a sucker for a dollop of foam.
8) I like Simon Bolivar as much as the next person. His old house down near Los Andes university looks all green and peaceful. From the outside at least.
9) La Macarena is a really cool place, all galleries and funky cafes. I always meant to spend a full day just wandering there but, well, you know…
10) The times I meant to go and visit the President. I mean, do the tour of Casa Nariño, have a good poke around his pad but, yes, you’ve guessed it…
Perhaps you wonder why I’m sharing this mildly depressing list now. On New Year’s Eve. Well, one of my resolutions – ironically starting tomorrow – is to do away with mañana. The time dear readers (particularly if you believe all that Mayan mumbo jumbo) is now.
Banana Skin Flip Flops 
I love this – I’m leaving tomorrow to spend the year in Bogota. I know what you mean about getting caught up with work and daily life and mañana, but I’m hoping to push myself out of that as much as possible. This list is a great place to start! Thanks for sharing and good luck on your travels!
Ooh enjoy – Bogota is a great place to live and there is so much to do; you have a mad, busy and fun year ahead… and that’s just the capital!
Does this mean you’re not coming back oh Vicky dear?
Never say never… but I do have some places to see in the next couple of months; maybe there’ll be a bottle of rum in it for you 🙂
Thanks for the 10 things….I would like to comment about all of them but for now. Just about the 2nd one.
“”I never danced through the sun rise at Piso 30 nightclub””.
Well. Talking about “piso 30” , “The end” or whatever the place real name is. The place itself is not a big deal, expensive as hell and the sound system sucks BUT, i can see in your blog that you stayed in bogota in Sept 2010 and that you are British, sorry for calling you “gringo” in a previous comment. Well just telling you that the British DJ Paul Oakenfold, one of the worlds finest, played in Bogota on Sept 24 of 2010 and you being a British, didnt attend? WTF. That was THE EVENT to party until sunrise. 😉 I hope we can get more of those high-end level British DJs sooner.
Cheers!!
I love when people like you talk so beautiful about my country! I hope everyone that comes think as you. Come back soon 😀